Monarto Safari Park drag racing track to be built next to the zoo!

Chlidonias

Chlidonias

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just unbelievable!
Race strip a real drag for zoo | adelaidenow
28 May 2012

A drag racing track will be built next to Monarto Zoo despite the zoo's objections that it will affect visitor numbers and "ultimately Monarto's viability".

Plans for a multimillion-dollar drag race track on a 200ha site near the junction of Maurice Rd and Old Princess Hwy west of Murray Bridge, featuring a 1km drag strip, grandstands, viewing mounds, support buildings and parking for 5500 vehicles were revealed in The Advertiser in August.

It was approved yesterday by the Murray Bridge council's development assessment panel, with certain conditions.

The land is a neighbour southeast of the Monarto Zoo, run by Zoos South Australia, whose head of life sciences Peter Clark complained about the effect on its animals.

"Sudden high-level noise impacts heavily on our animals," he said. "In the case of breeding and endangered Australian animals it could result in joey losses."

Mr Clark was not relieved by council conditions that the drag strip run a maximum of 16 non-consecutive days a year.

"Regardless of the perceived infrequency of drag racing events proposed, most events will occur during the zoo's peak visitation period," he said.

Lead proponent of the drag strip, developer Terry O'Toole, said he cared for animals and did not believe the activity or noise would effect the zoo nor its animals.

A continuous grandstand and an elevated viewing mound would help block noise.

The council did not return calls yesterday.
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Sounds a bit like the 'Turn Werribee into a fun park' from several years ago. Really I wonder at some decision makers.
 
Morris park speedway is only a few kilometres from western plains zoo with fairly regular races. they have fireworks most nights also. how far would this be from the main collection?
 
Brakes applied to drag strip near zoo - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
24 January 2013

Plans for a drag racing track next to Monarto Zoo have been brought to a halt in an Adelaide Court.

The Murray Bridge Council approved the development, which included a one-kilometre drag strip on land near the old Princes Highway.

Monarto's operator Zoos SA challenged that decision in the Environment, Resources and Development Court, arguing the noise would affect animal welfare, their breeding cycle and drive away customers.

It also questioned the validity of the development approval after the council reserved decisions related to an access road, sound barrier and traffic management plan.

Judge Susanne Cole agreed and ruled the development approval invalid.

The council has been ordered to reconsider the development.
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New bid to win drag strip approval near zoo - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
16 May 2013

A court has been told another attempt will be made to establish a drag racing facility close to Monarto Zoo, south-east of Adelaide.

A previous bid to win development approval failed.

The proposed development, just off the old Princes Highway, would have a one-kilometre drag strip and associated infrastructure.

Zoos SA fought in the Environment, Resources and Development Court to block the racing plan expressing fears that noise could be harmful to the animals at the open range zoo.

It also warned traffic congestion might reduce the number of Monarto visitors.

Last January, the court ruled development approval granted by Murray Bridge Council was invalid because traffic management had not been properly considered.

The court now heard a new plan had been submitted to address noise and traffic issues.

Developer Terry O'Toole told the hearing his new plan was not distinctly different from the original one and the council was wasting time by unnecessarily seeking public comment again.

The case will return to court in a fortnight.
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This area is already operating as a motor sport precinct, with a world-class Moto X (motor cross) track and next door, Sprint Kart track, then next to that, a model aircraft club with a 150m paved runway where they fly jet powered model planes.

Assuming the noise can be effectively kept under control, I think the further development of this area could potentially be a great benefit to Monarto Zoo.

Anyone driving to any of these facilities from Adelaide - including the proposed drag strip - will travel right past the entrance to Monarto Zoo. Given the growing international reputation of these facilities, which host some pretty big events - the visibility of the zoo should be enhanced by the increased traffic to the area.

Given the location - the prevailing winds are almost always from the south and occasionally from the north - thus most of the track noise will not be driven towards the zoo, which is west / north-west of the motor sports precinct. It is extremely rare that you would see an easterly wind (blowing west), towards the zoo.

I know this, because my parents place is just down the road (Murray Bridge end of Maurice Rd where the proposed drag strip will be built), and I lived in Murray Bridge for 8 years.

I hope a mutually acceptable arrangement can be found to allow the drag strip to go ahead without affecting the zoo animals - I do think that further development and subsequent promotion of this area will only help the zoo.
 
I am inclined to agree with you Sim. If animals in city zoos can adapt to noises like trams, fireworks, ferrys, trains and traffic, I cant really see why they wouldnt cope with the noise from the Motor X.
Those most annoyed would probably be visitors and staff working within earshot of the noise.
 
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